The Accra Excessive Court docket yesterday dismissed all charges against Kwesi Nyantakyi, the previous President of the Ghana Soccer Affiliation (GFA), following 5 years of authorized proceedings linked to the “Quantity 12” exposé.
The court docket, presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmonds, dominated in Nyantakyi’s favour after the prosecution did not current its key witness, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Regardless of naming 5 potential witnesses, the prosecution was unable to supply ample proof to maneuver the case ahead, resulting in Nyantakyi’s discharge.
Anas’ “Number 12” video documentary uncovered bribery and corruption actions on the a part of Ghana soccer officers and referees. The massive scandal led to the collapse of the Kwesi Nyantakyi-led GFA administration. The investigative piece revealed widespread corruption in soccer in Ghana. A number of match referees had been caught receiving bribes with a view to favour sure groups.
For the reason that “Quantity 12” exposé premiered on June 6, 2018, many have questioned Anas’ modus operandi and highlighted the supposed results of the investigative documentary on Ghana soccer.
Whereas some consider the ace investigative journalist did his obligation by exposing the rot within the nation’s stunning recreation, others additionally argue piece slowed down soccer’s progress and in the end ruined numerous elements of the sport.
Right here, Pulse Ghana presents 5 notable individuals who have attributed soccer’s sorry state to Anas.
1. Coach Yusif Basigi
Not lengthy after the documentary, then head coach of the Black Princesses of Ghana, Yussif Basigi blamed the poor exhibiting of nationwide groups in worldwide competitions on the “Quantity 12” exposé.
After Basigi’s staff crashed out of the 2018 FIFA U-20 Ladies’s World Cup in France, he was quoted by Ghanasoccernet.com as saying the next:
I am unhappy our nationwide groups will not be doing effectively. It isn’t one or two nationwide groups however it’s typically throughout all of the nationwide groups. I am going to attribute it to the Anas expose as a result of I do not assume I’d have been overwhelmed 4:0 by each France and Holland if not due to the exposé.
2. Reverend Owusu Bempah
In January 2024 across the time the Black Stars drew 2-2 to Mozambique, which elevated their threat of AFCON group stage elimination, founding father of the Wonderful Phrase Energy Ministries, Reverend Owusu Bempah, stated the challenges confronting Ghana soccer was due to Anas’ documentary piece.
He instructed Okay FM in an interview in Twi:
Anas is the reason for our issues. What he did to Nyantakyi was incorrect. That’s why Ghana shouldn’t be thriving.
3. Eric Alagidede
Former Enterprise and Communications Supervisor of Karela United, Eric Alagidede, lamenting concerning the poor officiating within the home league, additionally ended up claiming Anas’ exposè took away all of the skilled referees within the system.
In 2021, he was quoted by Opemsuo.com as saying:
Anas needs to be blamed for the unhealthy officiating occurring within the League as a result of his exposé took away the skilled referees we’ve within the system.
4. Paul Adom-Otchere
Even journalist like famend journalist and host of Good Night Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere additionally blamed “Quantity 12” for the Black Stars’ abysmal efficiency on the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cameroon.
He stated the next on the editorial phase of his present on January 18, 2022, as quoted by sankofaradio.com:
I believe the explanation for the Black Stars efficiency [at the AFCON] is the best way through which we ditched this man [referring to Kwesi Nyantakyi’s photo on his TV touchscreen]. What we did to Kwesi Nyantakyi due to a documentary, how we threw the infant away with the bathwater is what has occasioned this drawback.
5. Takyi Arhin
The newest criticism is from the Common Supervisor of Aduana Stars, Takyi Arhin, who claims the investigative piece has set the sport again at the very least 5 many years.
Arhin stated on Channel One TV:
The Anas exposé has taken us again about 50 years. Our soccer has not been the identical because it was through the days of Kwesi.
In as a lot as there is likely to be antagonistic results as the sport went below the normalisation committee, all of the blame can’t be positioned on the doorsteps of Anas and his staff, that’s even when there are any.
The true architects of soccer’s shameful state in Ghana are nonetheless up and operating, and ruining the sport. The “Quantity 12” exposé ought to have been a studying curve for the so-called soccer folks which they’ve to this point did not do.
